Pancoast tumor MRI
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mazia Fatima, MBBS [2]
Overveiw
MRI
- MRI is helpful in the diagnosis of Pancoast tumor.
- MRI offers greater detail in the evaluation of chest wall invasion, examination of vascular structures and brachial plexus involvement and resectability of the tumor.
- Findings on MRI suggestive of Pancoast tumor include:
- Opacity at the apex of the lung or in the superior sulcus area.
- Spread of the tumor can result in rib invasion that is observed as bone destruction of posterior ribs.
- Vertebral body infiltration
- Enlargement of the mediastinum.
- Invasion of brachial plexus
- Invasion of chest wall and/or mediastinum
- Extension of the tumor into vena cava, trachea and esophagus.